Earth's Oxygen Supply Could Dwindle in a Billion Years, Scientists Warn

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A team of researchers has predicted that Earth's oxygen-rich atmosphere is unlikely to last for much longer than a billion years, ultimately reverting to conditions that resemble the planet's state before the Great Oxidation Event 2.4 billion years ago. This alarming forecast is based on detailed simulations that indicate a significant drop in atmospheric oxygen will precede widespread loss of surface water due to increasing solar brightness, as explained by environmental scientist Kazumi Ozaki from Toho University in Japan.

The study, published in Nature Geoscience, models the biosphere's response to changes in solar output and carbon dioxide levels, highlighting that reduced photosynthesis will lead to sharply decreased oxygen levels—potentially a million times lower than today, according to Earth scientist Chris Reinhard from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

This research is particularly significant as astronomers search for habitable planets beyond our solar system. As advanced telescopes collect data, the study suggests scientists should consider a broader range of biosignatures beyond oxygen when searching for extraterrestrial life. The current oxygen-rich period could last only 20-30 percent of Earth's total lifespan, with microbial life anticipated to persist long after humans are gone.

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